cruiseny4life

Hey! Even on vacation, not everything can be perfect. Your critiques are fair, sensible, and balanced. I hope you have no more reason for critiques, but if you do, feel free to share them! You do it well. Also - thanks for a recap of your day. Sleep well!

Oh, I knew it was half. Haha! I'm one of those that will clean my Free at Sea package plate. BUT, I agree with you! It does absolutely provide enough food for the meal. Actually, if I'm being honest, if served with a potato, I'll probably leave that on the plate. I do sometimes not order dessert too, as many of NCL's desserts don't appeal to me. Y'all had two of my favorite desserts at Cagney's though!! Now, if you're talking those a la carte prices....well I won't go there. My words would be too vitriolic for a live! Really though, I'm loving seeing this trip through your and Pookie's eyes. Congratulations on making it just more than halfway! I do truly hope the second half gets better (knowing that you're still having a good time, but little things do gnaw at the mind).

I am consistently awed by your food photos. Yum! But, also, amazed at how little y'all ate. I'd devour that steak, a couple of sides, appetizer, and full dessert. But I'm a feefifofatty!

Per order. I do not give a tip when the order arrives. I do get rooms in a category with a butler, so I do tip the butler at the end of the trip as they're not covered in the onboard service charge pool. If it's someone else delivering the food, I don't tip. They're included in the onboard service charge (or so NCL leads me to believe that).

Answers in bold throughout the quote.

Not my experience in either of the BOGO NCL trips I've taken. On both (one domestic/one international), we were able to select the seats we desired. Domestic was at about 60 days ahead of cruise and international was about 100 days ahead of cruise.

That stinks! I remember on my cruises, this bar (I think it's called Prime Meridian on other ships) has always been empty. I've always wondered why given it's location between Cagney's and whatever is opposite. On Joy, A List was pretty tame when we were on too. Alas, it must be a rowdy bunch you have on board!

Oh gosh! If you're into Rogue Valley, Shawn Mendes, Nirvana, Foster the People, Otis Redding, Avril LaVigne, One Direction, Edward Sharpe (and whoever), Jack Johnson, Josh Turner, Taylor Swift...then you're welcome anytime!! Party on! 🥳 And, you do make a good point that many folks do think only of themselves. Not sure that's a new development though - I remember it from growing up (granted I'm well...41 - eeeeek it's weird to say that)!

I'm with you.....but.....you did say balcony.

No one said they'd be listening to it at maximum volume. I often listen to music quietly, where you can only hear it if within five, or so, feet. Balconies have dividers that block soft sounds. Not all people are careless. I'm not sure why folks on Cruise Critic seem to think everyone that posts something they dislike is careless or doesn't care about others.

No radio. Bring a speaker. Just don't tell anyone here as they'll lambast you.

Whoa!!! How did momma get you a Vibe cabana? I'm sure @vacation44 would be interested in any information you could provide. Congratulations on the first of many sensational years!!

I wouldn't worry about Roatan. It'll be easy enough to find a tour when you get to the port. As you walk from the ship toward the little tourist village they have set up, stop by the blue (I think they're blue) sheds. You'll be able to find a tour you want. They had options that included all the sloths, beaches, zip lines, chocolate factories (rip offs), and rum cake factories (rip offs) you could ever desire. We were happy with our experience there. When is your cruise? Depending on the date, all excursions could be sold out or may not be loaded if it's way in the future.

Here is the placard from Pr1ma. Pr1ma doesn't have a La Cucina, but I have most definitely dined in La Cucina on Joy and Getaway with shorts and a t-shirt on multiple occasions. I do not dine at Le Bistro, Ocean Blue, Palomar, or any other restaurant that requires pants/collared shirt.

Touché! Though, for a myriad of reasons this would not work for us. Some of those are: - Dress code (despite how minimal the dress code may be, no luxury line has a dress code we're comfortable with) - Activities onboard - Itineraries - Energy onboard the ship I agree with you, though. If someone really wants a truly pampered experience, NCL's Haven is not the way to go.

That stinks! I know it happens. It's not like every server at my favorite restaurant is a great employee. Heck, I'm an abysmal employee!! But, I'm glad it seems you enjoyed the experience - even if the value isn't quite there for you to book. Besides, you have Vibe! And that's even better service than Haven (from everything I've read on here by you and others).

Been there. Called my PCC. Was told it was ok and would clear up on it's own. I don't trust that, so bothered PCC until it was gone. You may want to call the general number and ask the same questions. It's likely a NCL glitch, but gosh you don't want your cruise cancelled for lack of payment on a phantom item! Good luck!

This is the only line that matters. Everything about your trip becomes better if you do that, as @Laszlo points out. Like you, our butler's have been great on our Haven cruises - all since 2022. Granted, we haven't asked to have all red M&M's, booze served in our suite, or anything else crazy. We've received the benefits of the Haven as advertised. We got to know two of our five butlers very well - to the point they discussed their families, what they do when they're home for vacation (a lot of sleep, but some other activities too). It's really quite amazing to hear from these folks about their worldview and how they go through life. What an extraordinarily different life they live to the average American. Sure, we've had some disappointments, but not in the butler department. Granted, we're not room service type of people, except for once or twice on a cruise. I definitely haven't had the butler unpack or pack my undies. 😱 Not to mention how well they have worked in tandem with the room stewards. It's a fantastic partnership as I've seen on so many cruises (I wish it was too many to count, but I'm not there yet)!

It's already more "interesting" than an American McDonald's!! Haha, I'm a little scared I'm now the board's resident only eats fast food in foreign countries guy....I assure you, I am not! The clams and sketti looked amazing!

So glad to hear from you! But, not for this reason. I'm glad you were persistent and are satisfied, but that's too bad your sleep was/is disturbed. Hoping you have a good rest of your cruise - I've been thinking about you cruising up there in the amazing Alaskan waters.

Oh my! I'm so happy to see this. You've just made my week! Although I'll probably fall silent on the weekend. My Monday morning will be brightened by anything you care to share with us! Remember, enjoyment of your cruise is more important than allowing us to live vicariously through you...but we expect you to post (j/k)! Also...what a cute gondolier! 😍

If you haven't already, be sure to run through this thread. Since you're cruising next week, you might not have time to read it all. Lots of good advice. Skip to late 2023/2024 for most updated information. There are some conversations regarding tipping in the thread too.

Oh. My. Gosh! Chicken fried steak! Yes, please....why is southern food so good, but also good for an expanding waist line? Moderation, I know. I agree with the over easy eggs - good idea to mix them in. I'll try that next time they're served up to me. Thanks for the suggestion! I absolutely will mix eggs with my grits if eggs are on the menu. Yum...now get me out of NY and on my way south. Or, I just need some time to get in the kitchen.

Maintenance? Dry dock? Charter? Another cruise? We'll know eventually! Maybe your PCC will know, but I wouldn't count on it.

Hahaha - A Yankee from the south...well not me, but my fam! Grits with Velveeta, now that's where it's at! Mmmmm, throw a bit (or a lot) of bacon grease in and I'll be fine eating grits for breakfast every day! Corn bread ain't sweet, either! Collards need salt pork, black eyed peas need a few ham hocks. All learned from a lady from Shelby County, good sir! I just can't do no chitlins though...that's the Yankee in me! Give me that spice, seasoning, and fat. No hash browns on the grill have satisfied me except those I mentioned earlier as they're not properly cooked, have virtually no seasoning, and oil is used. Throw a lot of salt, pepper, butter, and maybe a wee bit of chili powder in them. Now those would be all sorts of yum!